Established We support catch and release. February 2018

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1 R E E L L I N E S Established We support catch and release. February 2018 MISSION STATEMENT The Arizona Flycasters Club is a non-profit tax-exempt organization that is dedicated to encourage, support, and educate its members and the community in the sport of fly fishing, the techniques of fly fishing, and the ethics of catch and release which promotes the conservation of fish and their habitats. The organization s activities also encourage friendship, enjoyment, sportsmanship, and safety. President s Lines It s February and that pretty much means springtime for us here in the Valley. Days start to lengthen. Temps start to rise. This is also when AFC s calendar is in full swing with fly tying classes, casting classes, and outings. Check our calendar of events and join us. Brad Norgaard President Don Mickus Vice President Alan Davis Secretary Barney Rouse Treasurer Our Annual Banquet and Raffle is Sunday, March 4. Tickets can be purchased at the February general meeting, by mailing a check to our post office box, or through our webpage at This is our club s event, and we hold it each year to honor those who have gone above and beyond the norm in serving our membership and community. We also celebrate the club s achievements over the past year, introduce the new board members, and thank those who have stepped down. Some would say the best part of the banquet is the raffle. Who am I to disagree? The raffle is always tremendous and exemplifies our members generosity and diverse talents. Beautiful paintings, embroidery, woodworking, and handcrafted fly fishing items are among the prizes you will see on the raffle tables. We will be accepting donations at the February general meeting, so bring yours, and we ll be glad to take them. Your donations don t need to be homemade or fly fishing-related. They can be a gift card to a favorite restaurant, or a gas card, or a gift certificate for personal services you perform house painting, garage epoxy floor covering, repair work, you name it. Think outside the box and donate something that would appeal to a number of people. I urge each of you to participate in the banquet in every way you can. We need your help in order to raise money for the club. The success of the banquet depends entirely on our members. You can contribute greatly simply by donating a raffle prize or two, purchasing a ticket, and buying raffle tickets when you get there. We are working hard to make this a grand event that everybody will enjoy and have even dropped the price to $40 from last year s $45. We promise a wide variety of raffle prizes something for everyone. So make your donations, buy a ticket, come enjoy a good meal with friends, share some laughs, and win some quality prizes. AFC is affiliated with the International Federation of Fly Fishers, an organization dedicated to the betterment of the sport of fly fishing through conservation, restoration, and education. See you at the February meeting and the banquet. Brad Norgaard AFC President president@azflycasters.com

2 SCHEDULE February 5, 6, 12, 14, 7:00 PM Fly Tying Classes (SSCC) 20, 21, 26 7, 14, 21, 28 10:00 AM Weekly Casting Meet-Ups (Roadrunner Park) 8 7:00 PM General Meeting Landon Mayer (SSCC) 15 7:00 PM Board Meeting (SSCC) 17 9:00 AM Casting Class (Roadrunner Park) 24 8:30 AM Veterans Third Annual Hooked on Healing Motorcycle Ride (Chandler Harley Davidson 6895 West Chandler Boulevard) March 4 4:00 PM Annual Banquet & Raffle (La Princesa: 4216 W. Bethany Home) 7, 14, 21, 28 10:00 AM Weekly Casting Meet-Ups (Roadrunner Park) 8 7:00 PM General Meeting Ed Engle (SSCC) 10 9:00 AM Casting Class (Roadrunner Park) 15 7:00 PM Board Meeting (SSCC) 17 9:00 AM Butcher Jones at Saguaro Lake Float Tubing/Brats 19, 21 7:00 PM Rod Construction Classes (SSCC) :00 AM International Sportsmen s Expo and Arizona Boat Show (WestWorld of Scottsdale) San Juan River Outing - Make Reservations on AZFISHBOOK April 4, 11, 18, 25 10:00 AM Weekly Casting Meet-Ups (Roadrunner Park) 12 7:00 PM General Meeting Jim Cox (SSCC) 14 8:00 AM Blue Point Bridge at Salt River Nymphing/Coffee and Donuts 17 7:00 PM General Education Class (SSCC) 19 7:00 PM Board Meeting (SSCC) 21 9:00 AM Casting Class (Roadrunner Park) May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 10:00 AM Weekly Casting Meet-Ups (Roadrunner Park) 10 7:00 PM General Meeting (SSCC) 15 7:00 PM General Education Class (SSCC) 17 7:00 PM Board Meeting (SSCC) Winn Campground Outing Fishing and Fun in White Mountains June 14 7:00 PM General Meeting (SSCC) 19 7:00 PM General Education Class (SSCC) 21 7:00 PM Board Meeting (SSCC) July 12 7:00 PM General Meeting (SSCC) 19 7:00 PM Board Meeting (SSCC) 24 7:00 PM General Education Class (SSCC) 2

3 AFC ANNUAL BANQUET & RAFFLE Sunday, March 4, 4:00 PM La Princesa-4216 West Bethany Home Road, Phoenix, Arizona It is time to bring together our club members, family members, and guests for fun, food, and raffle prizes. If you are new to the club and have not been to an annual banquet, it is one of our premier events. This year we will be at La Princesa, located at 4216 West Bethany Home Road, on Sunday, March 4. Doors will open at 4:00. Dinner will be an Italian buffet served around 6:00. The success of our annual banquet depends entirely on you. It is time to clean out your fly fishing closets. Handcrafted items also are greatly appreciated by your fellow members. Don't forget about gift cards and gift baskets. Remember this is a fundraiser for the club. AFC cannot operate without your support. We need every member to make raffle donations. You can bring your donations to the February general meeting. If you need help making donations or cannot make the February general meeting, contact any board member and they will be glad to assist. We also need every member to dip into their pockets and buy raffle tickets at the banquet. The proceeds support the club s activities and causes such as our Northern Arizona University Scholarship and Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, among others. We have reduced the ticket price this year to $40 per person. Children 12 and under are half price. This year's ticket also will include two drinks including beer and wine. Please register in advance on Eventbrite, which helps us plan and promote the event. Registration on Eventbrite is free. Please register each person attending at You may pay at the February general meeting by cash, check, or credit card. See David Mayl, Don Mickus, or Alan Davis at the membership table. You also may mail a check to Arizona Flycasters Club, P.O. Box 47357, Phoenix, AZ , or purchase your tickets online at If you have questions, contact any board member. Thanks! 3

4 Guest Speaker Landon Mayer "Secrets and Tactics for Catching Large Trout Raffle Proceeds To Aid Special Olympics Fishing Derby AFC General Meeting February 8, 7:00 PM, Sunnyslope Community Center Landon Mayer s angling success is fueled by an addiction to pursuing large trout with small flies and lightweight fly fishing equipment. He enthusiastically teaches and demonstrates his techniques and on-river knowledge to fellow anglers and has developed innovative strategies for sighting, hooking, and landing selective trout. Landon shares these tips and secrets in his books 101 Trout Tips: A Guide s Secrets, Tactics and Techniques, Colorado s Best Fly Fishing, Sight Fishing for Trout, and How to Catch the Biggest Trout of Your Life, in addition to two DVDs: Landing the Trout of Your Life and Weapons of Bass Production, both of which also feature John Barr. Landon s passion for fly fishing has allowed him to make several noteworthy contributions to the sport on and off the water. This has included travels to fly fishing-related organizations of the Mid-Atlantic, West, Pacific Northwest, Southwest, and Southern states, as well as teaching through guided trips, fly fishing classes, presentations, and demonstrations of his unique techniques. He is a contributing writer for Fly Fisherman and High Country Angler magazines. His contributions also have been featured in publications such as Fly Rod and Reel, American Angler, Southwest Fly Fishing, Field & Stream, Fly Fusion, and Fish and Fly magazines. As an ambassador in the fly fishing industry, Landon represents several lines including Simms Fly Fishing apparel and is a royalty fly designer for Umpqua Feather Merchants. He also is an advisory team member of Simms Fishing products, Bauer Fly Reels, R.L. Winston, Scientific Anglers, Smith, Fishpond USA, Yeti Coolers, and Casio Pro Trek watches. Landon has been guiding in Colorado full time on the South Platte River for the last 20 years, and one full season on the Naknek River in Alaska. He resides with his wife, Michelle, and their four children in Florissant, Colorado. For additional information on his services and presentations, contact him at: Landon Mayer Fly Fishing on on Instagram 4

5 Fly Tying Classes Are Underway! Ron Robinson, Education Chair Our basic fly tying classes began on January 31 and continue through the end of February. We are teaching some old standards tied in a new way, which will include using different materials and techniques. These are always fun classes and free to all club members. We supply the materials and equipment at no cost. Each class is stand alone so you can start at any time. Our crew of instructors will be there to help you if you need it. All classes are held at the Sunnyslope Community Center from 7:00 to 8:45 PM. See the Schedule section (page 2) of this newsletter or the website for the complete list. If you have questions, give Ron a call at Casting Class Saturday, February 17, 9:00 AM, Roadrunner Park Ron Robinson, Education Chair We will provide basic instruction to all those who are just starting to learn fly casting. In addition, this month we will help you learn techniques for shooting line. The club has equipment for all those in need. As a bonus, Ron will bring some equipment designed for saltwater, ranging from 5 to 12 weight. We tried some of these rods in the wind last month and had a fun time. Our casting classes are held at Roadrunner Park, located at Cactus Road and 36th Street, just off State Route 51. We gather at the northeast corner of the park. Instruction starts at 9:00 AM and finishes around 11:00 AM. If you have questions, give Ron a call at Veterans Third Annual Hooked On Healing Motorcycle Ride Saturday, February 24, 8:30 AM Chandler Harley Davidson 6895 West Chandler Boulevard Norm Johnson, Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Phoenix Program Lead On Saturday, February 24, the Veterans Third Annual Hooked on Healing Motorcycle Ride will take place. The ride is sponsored by the San Tan Crown Rotary Club. Our Phoenix Program has received significant donations from the club. Registration starts at 8:30 AM. The ride starts at Chandler Harley-Davidson. Over $5,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded at the after party. Join us as we ride to raise funds to help our disabled and homeless veterans. If you d like more information on the ride or to register please visit or Facebook.com/healingvets. Thanks, Norm Saguaro Lake Outing Saturday, March 17, 9:00 AM San Juan River Outing March Jim Rondoni, Outings Chair Let s go fishing! We ll be at the Butcher Jones picnic area at Saguaro Lake on Saturday, March 17, from 9:00 AM until around 1:00 PM. Bring your float tube, rod, and reel. We ll supply the brats. A Tonto Daily Pass or Tonto Discovery Pass is needed. You can purchase a pass at any sporting goods store or at the lake marina. Butcher Jones is a short drive from town. Take State Highway 87 (the Beeline), turn south (right) on Bush Highway/Forest Road 204, travel 2 miles to Forest Road 166, and then turn left. Follow Forest Road 166 for 2 miles to the site. We ll be at the San Juan River from March Look for information and make reservations on AZFISHBOOK. If you have questions, call Jim Rondoni at

6 Renew Your AFC Membership! David Mayl, Membership Chair Annual dues are still only $35 for your entire household. What are the benefits of being a member in AFC? Club-sponsored outings throughout the year, which will include two outings to the San Juan River, more outings throughout Arizona, as well as outings to our local lakes and rivers and maybe even the canals. Monthly education classes Casting classes in the fall, winter, and spring Winter and fall fly tying classes Monthly meetings featuring guest fly fishing professionals from around the country and monthly raffle Annual Banquet & Raffle Social interaction with like-minded anglers If you have not paid your 2018 dues, you may pay online, bring your payment to the next club meeting, or mail a check to Arizona Flycasters Club, P.O. Box 47357, Phoenix, AZ If you are renewing, you just need to pay your dues. If you are joining the club, you need to pay your dues, complete the application and waiver forms, and bring the completed forms to the next meeting, mail them to the address above, or attach them as a pdf and to membership@azflycasters.com. Your check should reference AFC 2018 membership dues. Thank you! Renew or join at 6 The Professor Hook: Standard wet hook sizes Beard: Brown hen hackle fibers Tail: Red hackle fibers Wing: Mallard breast fibers Rib: Gold tinsel Head: Thread Body: Yellow floss 1. Place a debarbed hook in the vise and start the thread at the midpoint of the hook shank and wrap back to the bend of the hook. Take a small bunch of red hackle fibers and even the tips. Tie these in at the bend of the hook so they are about the length of the body of the fly. Tie in the gold tinsel at the base of the tail and advance the thread to just short of the hook eye. 2. Tie in the yellow floss just behind the hook eye and wrap back to the base of the tail and then back up to the tie-in point. Make sure to keep the wraps smooth and flat as you wrap the body so that there is no unevenness. Tie off the floss and trim the excess. 3. Now take a brown hen neck feather, even a small bunch of tips, and trim them off the stem for the beard. Place the hackle fibers at the bottom of the fly, tie them so the tips are just beyond the point of the hook, and secure them in place. Trim the excess feather. 4. Next take the mallard feather, even the tips, and trim a small section off the stem for the wing. Tie this bundle on top of the hook so the ends are about equal with the middle of the tail. Trim any excess feather. Finally, wrap a small neat head, whip finish, and trim the thread. The fly is complete. This fly supposedly was developed out of necessity in the 19th century when Professor John Wilson was fishing, ran short of flies, and fastened buttercup petals around the hook shank and various leaves and grasses to form a head. The fly was so successful it led to the making of the fly with a yellow silk body and became widely known as The Professor. The fly is usually tied and fished as a wet fly and can be used as a dropper or attractor in still or moving water. Dry fly adaptations also have been developed.

7 Board Members Brad Norgaard President Don Mickus Vice President Alan Davis Secretary Barney Rouse Treasurer OPEN Comm./Social Media Chair John Doss Programs Chair Barb and Brian Fayle Hospitality Co-Chairs Paul Finell Badges Chair azflycasters.com Chuck Howey Technology Chair OPEN Raffle Chair Norm Johnson Project Healing Waters David Mayl Membership Chair Craig Mernitz Fundraising Chair Ron Robinson Education Chair Jim Rondoni Outings Chair Ben Sheridan Special Events Chair and Youth Activities Chair Bob Sickles Librarian Greg Stock IFFF Representative Toni Wallis Merchandise Chair Steve Nemecek Newsletter Editor Board Positions Available We have two board positions to fill: Raffle Chair and a newly-created chair of Volunteer Coordinator. These are excellent opportunities to help the club. If you are interested in a position or just lending a hand, please contact any board member. 7

8 Your Flyfishing Specialists Serving Arizona since 1981 Guide Service Schools Lessons SPORTING TRADITIONS SINCE 1856 The ORVIS Company 2011 East Camelback Road, Suite C10 Phoenix, Arizona TEL A Celebration of the Sporting Life Specializing in Flyfishing & Wingshooting North Scottsdale Rd. Suite 101 Scottsdale, AZ

9 Arizona Flycasters Club P.O. Box Phoenix, AZ Arizona Flycasters Club general meetings are held at 7:00 PM on the second Thursday of every month at the Sunnyslope Community Center. The Annual Banquet and Raffle is held in February or March. Watch for further details. The Arizona Flycasters Club newsletter is published by the Arizona Flycasters Club and is distributed to its members and advertisers. Opinions expressed in the newsletter are not necessarily those of the club. Advertisements are placed as a means of conveying the message of the advertisers. The Arizona Flycasters Club does not necessarily endorse the advertiser s products or services. Arizona Flycasters Club P.O. Box Phoenix, AZ Next General Meeting: Landon Mayer: Secrets and Tactics for Catching Large Trout Thursday February 8, :00 PM This space reserved for your name and address. 9